Davis Cup: Great Britain promotion was a team affair

When the Turkish team arrived in Eastbourne just after Wimbledon 2010, Great Britain were haunted by the prospect of relegation to European Zone Group 3 of the Davis Cup.

Matches against San Marino, Andorra and Iceland loomed on the horizon, until a 5-0 victory on the grass ended those thoughts. That was Leon Smith's first tie as captain, and three years on, his team are back in the World Group after this weekend's comfortable win in Croatia.

A nation which has such vast Wimbledon profits to sink back into the sport should of course be regulars in the top tier, but that should not detract from what has been a hugely impressive team effort.

Andy Murray's decision to take a break from the team at the end of 2011 has had positive repercussions. Other players have started performing much better than their ranking should allow: doubles players like Colin Fleming, Ross Hutchins and Jonny Marray have played an important part, and Britain would not be in the position they are today without the stunning Sunday singles' wins by James Ward and Dan Evans in the comeback from 2-0 down against Russia in Coventry in April.

Smith's captaincy has been astute and bold. In his dual role as the Lawn Tennis Association's head of men's tennis, he has given the players the confidence to perform. His travelling support cast of coaches, physios, doctors and fitness trainers is huge, but having been made Britain's youngest Davis Cup captain in 35 years, he has proved more than a couple of people wrong.

"When I took over, maybe a few eyebrows were raised, but I have tried to involve a lot of people in it because I think it's important for British tennis to have more British coaches involved at this level," he told me, in the aftermath of victory in Umag.

"When they go back to the day job of coaching some of the younger players, there's no doubt they are going to benefit from spending time with Andy and our doubles players this week. And we have also been very well prepared: each tie, we do a lot of scouting and analysis of the players and I think that has served us well."

Murray led from the front magnificently at the Stella Maris Stadium, and says his decision to make himself unavailable for three ties over the past two years was motivated by a desire to make Britain a more rounded team.

"I wanted the younger guys to step up and experience it," he told BBC Sport.

"There was no point in being in the World Group because we weren't ready for it. But now I think we are ready to do well. If I'm fit and healthy, I will be there to play."

Murray also took the decision to step away from the team to enhance his chances of winning what was proving to be an elusive Grand Slam. Less Davis Cup meant less time on the road, and no danger of being asked to switch surfaces at short notice at the immediate conclusion of a Grand Slam. His schedule over the past two years has paid handsome dividends.

World Group play-offs 2013

Spain
5-0 Ukraine

Austria 0-5
Netherlands

Croatia 1-4
Great Britain

Switzerland
4-1 Ecuador

Germany
4-1 Brazil

Australia
4-1 Poland

Belgium
3-2 Israel

Japan
3-2 Colombia

The Wimbledon champion remains a big fan of the Davis Cup - even suggesting last week that participation should be made mandatory for players who are selected. And his country needs him, because however well others have played in the past, stars like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic await in the World Group.

The draw takes place in London on Wednesday morning. Spain away? It would be "a very difficult proposition," according to Smith, and an "ugly match-up," in the words of Murray.

The draw will be crucial to Britain's chances, as a home tie allows the hosts to choose the venue and the speed of the court. Jeremy Bates was a member of the last British team to win a World Group tie, way back in 1986.

"We played against Spain in Telford and we put a nice fast carpet court down," he explained. "We played against Sergio Casal and Emilio Sanchez. John Lloyd played number one singles, and I played number two. Great memories - all the Davis Cup memories were great memories."

So could a slick piece of carpet be Great Britain's secret weapon next year?

"Unfortunately it's not allowed any more, as there are rules about the speed of the courts you can put down," he went on. "The parameters are much narrower now, but that said, you can have an indoor court that is pretty quick. You would certainly take any one of the indoor surfaces over getting an away tie indoors in Madrid, against Nadal, Ferrer, Verdasco, or whoever else feels like playing for Spain."

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Comments

GB have got USA. So if the Bryan brothers play, they almost never lose in Davis Cup, Evans will have to beat Isner or Querrey / Harrison for GB to win, assuming Murray wins his both matches.. will see how much team contribtuon there is.

@115 I'd imagine they'd do very well...and if the Scottish rugby team picks up and we had a lot of players in the Lions I'd be even more chuffed if they won. Just as I'm sure the...gasp... Independent Irish are who take part in the Lions !

Interesting how the Scottish claim a Davis cup win when it is a GB Team. I wonder if they enjoyed a wonderful British win for the Lions! IF Scotland becomes independent how will the British Lions manage without them?I live in Scotland by the way.

@49Dead rubbers usually (always ?) get reduced to best of three as it's a bit of a grind for everyone watching...especially if you're the Host Nation and you've already been cuffed.I once had tickets for a whole weekend v Ukraine in which GB lost all ties up to the last day I think. It made Sunday short, but at least Chris Eaton won the last match...

Iss thanks to Andy that ourn got through cos we relied on is wins to beat Croatia overall.

Wot I aint sure abahrt is why Danny only needed to win 2 ahrt of 3 sets in the final rubber whereas Andy needed to win 3 ahrt of 5, it juss don't make sense unless the rules are different for the last match.

@109 Adam, your comment @45 states that Murray is only player he is because he moved to Spain. Again, I'm not refuting that idea in its entirety, but you refuse to acknowledge that his upbringing in Scotland has had an affect on him becoming the tennis player he is, and has helped him in his achievements. Please don't think you are winding me up...trust me, you're not.

@89 - before you accuse anyone else of being self-important, I suggest you go and re-read your own comments and objectively consider whether or not there's a tone of self-importance there. You were, after all, the one who completely misinterpreted my initial comment and have steadfastly refused to admit as such. I've just been winding you up because it's easy.

With ref to Andy`s upbringing in Scotland not having an effect on him. Obviously written by someone with no sense at all. Don`t you realise that he must be deeply traumatised by being a Hibby?....All Hibby`s are a bit wobbly in some way, it goes with the territory.

@106 I know what you mean but we can't deny the improvement in him, and with JMurray, JMarray, and Fleming for doubles as well it looks a decent team now.I've watched a couple of ties in Glasgow when we were'nt great but Fleming was a stand-out even then.Sadly, I think the WG ties will be played in big London venues - it's a shame as they've had gr8 backing elsewhere while in the doldrums.

Hope we get an easier draw - Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Canada, Argentina would all be beatable. Need Dan Evans to step up though - he needs to get in the gym - get stronger and fitter and then get some punch on his groundstrokes. No falling back to his lazy days and becoming a waster.

@101What ?That debate is about political and fiscal choices for a country, not ethnic cleansing for God's sake. Murray may even choose to represent England after such an event - he does live there after all. And besides, if you 'remove them from the LTA', (I presume you mean the Scots players) you're removing 80% of the Davis Cup team. Good luck in the World Group with that !?!...

Ridiculous to suggest that Murray being away from the team helped other players. Anyone who had ever been involved in sport would know the value to those guys of being around one of the world's best players.

It's an individual sport and Murray couldn't be bothered playing for his country; don't try to put a gloss on it.

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